Historic legislation calls for major ramp-up of solar installations and new job creation with benefits for all customers News Release AUGUSTA – A group of solar businesses, workers, municipalities, community leaders, utilities, and other stakeholders on Thursday announced their support for historic new solar legislation that will dramatically increase installation of solar throughout Maine. The Read More
State House Watch
Working for legislation to protect Maine’s environment is an essential part of NRCM’s mission for the people of Maine. During the legislative session, we are at the Maine State House, just a block from our office, to work for new safeguards and also to defend existing legislation that protects Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife.
Breakthrough for Solar Power in Maine!
Comprehensive new bill to expand solar power By Emmie Theberge and Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy staff We’re happy to report that after laying the groundwork for years, and after months of intense work by many stakeholders, we’ve helped develop a strong comprehensive solar bill with broad support! The bill (LD 1649) would give Maine a Read More
Will a Ban on Food in Landfills Finally Spur Maine to Boost Recycling?
by Christopher Burns, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story Maine needs to decide what it’s going to do about the food in its waste stream. Food and other organics comprise 43 percent of Maine’s residential waste, more than paper, plastic, glass and metal. Yet, only about 5 percent of organics are composted, leaving much Read More
Maine Lawmakers Hear Mixed Testimony on Composting, Recycling Bill
A committee considers one of the most significant updates of Maine’s solid waste management laws, a plan to divert more waste from landfills into recycling or composting programs. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Cities and towns could have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional fees Read More
LePage has Nothing to Show for His Monthslong Tirade Against Land for Maine’s Future
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial The Land for Maine’s Future ship that Gov. Paul LePage tried to topple last year seems well on its way to being righted — at least in the interim. LePage late last year said he would finally back down from his refusal to release $5 million Read More
Report on Land for Maine’s Future Doesn’t Back Up Governor’s Claims
An extensive inquiry by the LePage administration recommends minor fixes to the popular program but finds nothing to suggest that it is ‘corrupt.’ Portland Press Herald editorial Of all the insults Gov. LePage has leveled at the Land for Maine’s Future program, the most damaging and accusatory is that it is “corrupt” – not a Read More
Maine House Votes to Renew $6.5 Million in Conservation Bonds
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — After some last minute wrangling, the Maine House voted to give all but final approval to $6.5 million in land conservation bonds that expired last fall. The vote was unanimous. A plan agreed to last week by the House, Senate and the governor gave the state Read More
LePage’s Opposition on Conservation Program Begins in Augusta’s Backyard
The governor has released $11.5 million in Land for Maine’s Future bonds, but some conservationists fear his efforts to scuttle the Howard Hill project are not over. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The epicenter of the political brawl over the Land for Maine’s Future program literally looms behind the State Read More
LePage is Backing Down on Land for Maine’s Future. Celebrate with Caution
By The BDN Editorial Board Supporters of the Land for Maine’s Future program can breathe a sigh of relief. They can celebrate, but with cautious optimism. We were pleased to see Gov. Paul LePage on Monday back down from his refusal to release $11.5 million in bonds voters authorized in 2010 and 2012 for a Read More
